Well I couldn't resist. The package was calling my name.
a couple of observations first of all kudos to the person who said you get what you pay for in regards to crossbows.
There are only three screws that hold the thing together. One of them went in just find the other one needed some assistance to go in I checked to make sure that I wasn't cross threading and I wasn't. that being said I needed a wrench to tighten down on it almost as though I was cutting my own threads.
The scope rings were included on the scope however when you place them on the picatinny rail it just doesn't fit so you have to loosen up one of the scope rings anyway no big deal.
The scope itself is okay I guess. then again I'm used to using cheap Scopes I have a $50 scope on my 30-06 and it's holding up just fine. Back to the crossbow scope it seems to have a decent eye relief. The image is fairly clear.
The handle on the forstock was loose and there are no included hex wrenches for that particular adjustment. no biggie I happen to have one of those handy and I tightened it down.
This thing is like 99% polymer. It has one of the things that I really dislike a plastic trigger. I think that may be pretty common with the crossbows the whole plastic frames with plastic triggers and plastic plastic everywhere.
With it being plastic this thing is heavy and awkward. coming from a firearm background it says heavy as a firearm but even more awkward to carry around. Welcome to the world of crossbows.
However when I shoulder the assembled the crossbow it fits like a glove. in my past experience when I have a rifle that fits like a glove generally I like it a lot.
Being that the scope is the thing that most people complain about and I find it reasonably fine I think I might even actually like this crossbow. Although only time will tell I haven't been to the range to shoot it.
the instructions were kind of ridiculous to you interpret so I look at a YouTube video that helped with assembly.
Some things that I should mention this did not include the illuminated variable zoom 3x9 scope that I've been hearing about. It had a fixed four-power scope no illumination rangefinder reticle. That was kind of disappointing as I had hoped for the illuminated scope.
To be honest I don't understand the pricing behind crossbows. I have seen firearms in this price range that were well put together with a whole lot less plastic. but it seems to be the nature of the beast they're all made out of plastic they're all very expensive they range in the low end of 190 for what I paid for this one up to $3,000.
This is where my reservation lies I don't quite understand why someone would pay this much money for a crossbow rather than a firearm but maybe there's something I'm missing. Maybe once I shoot it then I'll understand.
It's heavy, you're limited to about six rounds, it's hard to reload the arrows, and they are expensive at $4 a piece minimum, plus broadheads which add on to the cost. every five shots you need to lube the rail. Just to give you an idea of all the negatives behind crossbow ownership.
Here's some pics of the assembled crossbow and yes I think I put the quiver on backwards as I am not a lefty.